Whenever one of my three children would plunk a homeless dog or cat at my feet, I was known to be a curmudgeonly pushover. Our family cared for dogs, cats, turtles, birds, bunnies, lizards, and even a rattlesnake. That reptile was soon dispatched back to the wild! My wife and are are active retirees with adventuresome spirits. We recently acquired a scrawny cat and an ugly but adorable little mutt. Our home has ample space for daycare or overnight guests. The fenced backyard has a grassy area for ball chasing as well as a woodsy spot for sniffing and exploring. The neighborhood is quiet with little traffic which makes it ideal for dog walking. We walk Ariel twice a day. Our pets are much-loved and well cared for--- and yours will be too.